Chapter 12

The hallway leading to the staircase is shorter than I remember it appearing to be last night and it takes no time at all to reach it. We turn right and walk behind the staircase, and head toward the wall lined with windows. This time, I can clearly see a beautiful garden with paved walkways, majestic trees, and many varieties of flowers.

From what I'd seen last night, I thought that the fireplace was attached to the wall but behind it lays an alcove with a set of white doors with glass windows. Two black suited men wearing bow ties pull the doors open while Elise and Anna walk through. I pause and look at my bare feet.

I feel uneasy walking around this fancy house without shoes on but I'm not royalty or of high esteem. I shouldn't be concerned with these trivial things. Looking forward, I step out and keep pace with the attendants. The courtyard is cool and the air is slightly sweet with the scent of flowers. It's so peaceful here.

I'm not sure if it's because of the breath taking view or because I'm a bout to see my master again but my heart begins racing. I don't understand this feeling. Is it anticipation? Fear? Merely excitement looking out at such a stunning courtyard? Yes! That's got to be it. I must be dazzled by the beauty.

Momentarily forgetting my current situation, I let my guard down and become mesmerized by a beautiful pond with white and orange fish swimming in it. How beautiful! Little flicks of their tails causes blips in the water and tranquil splishing and splashing sounds to fill my ears with joyful noise. Who would have guessed that such a place would exist within the walls of one's home?

"This way.", says Anna and I snap back into reality.

We soon approach an identical set of doors and I look behind myself. Did we just walk in a circle? The grand doors swing open, revealing another large room but with different furniture. This room boasts a green felt covered table with holes and a triangle full of colorful balls on it. There are some other pieces of furniture that I don't know how to describe as well. But unlike the room at the manor's entrance, this room is rounded.

Instead of an open space with hallways, this room has 5 doors and the same large windows. It does, however, lack a staircase. Despite this detail, the room is very much grand and regal, just like the rest of the house. I'm led straight forward toward the third door, which lies directly in the middle of the room and aligns with the white doors we just came through.

As with all the other doors I've crossed paths with, this wooden door now opens before me. This time, it reveals a very large dinner table with a white lace runner down the center and gold embellishments strategically placed along top. Hanging from the ceiling is a gold chandelier encrusted with shimmering stones. Every time I think I've seen it all, this place shows me a whole new world of wonders.

"Are you not even going to greet your master?", comes a voice to my left.

That distinct voice sends shivers down my spine and I turn to look at him, terrified. I can't believe I was so distracted by the contents of the room that I actually didn't even notice him at the end of the table. I'd better greet him quickly, before he gets the mind to punish me. Scrambling for words, I try to compose myself and speak but it comes out in rambles.

"I'm sorry master! I did not see you!", I say bowing my head.

He says nothing for a moment and then he utters the word, "Come."

Without a second thought, I start walking to his side, stopping about an arm's length away. My head still hangs but I slowly shift my eyes to look at him. To my dismay, I make direct eye contact and I can no longer avoid looking at him. I straighten my shoulders and ball my hands into a fist to give myself the appearance of being brave.

"Sit.", he says, pointing to his thigh.

"Sit? There?"

"Must I repeat myself?"

This little phrase coupled with the look on his face is threatening enough to convince me to follow along. Though embarrassed and angry at the circumstances I find myself in, I take a deep breath and I sit sideways on his lap. With my hands on my knees, I look down once again.

There's a good little dolly.", he mocks me and lifts his hand to touch my face. "Now what are we going to do about your etiquette?"

"I apologize, Master. I don't know proper etiquette. I will try to learn."

"Well, I'm about to teach you a lesson so that you will never forget to greet me when you arrive in my presence again.", he growls softly.

His long fingers push my hair behind my ear and he leans closer. What should I do? If I pull away, he will punish me. It will make things worse in the end. Begrudgingly deciding to just bite my tongue, I allow him to invade my personal space this time. There's no point in trying to fight him. That will only make him angry and more determined.

"You've been a naughty little toy.", he whispers in my ear and then I feel a tingling sensation over my entire body as his lips touch my ear.

I instinctively pull my shoulder up in shock but he roughly places his other hand on the opposite side of my neck and he pulls my ear lobe into his mouth. For a moment, the blood rushes to my head. What is this? Am I enjoying this touch or do I hate it? It's so intense that it's making me dizzy. And then I feel pain!

I gasp and he pulls away. Turning my head to him, he pulls me close to his face. Wether shocked or mesmerized, I can't look away. I'm trapped in his steely gaze and theres no escape from his stare. The tickle of the breath leaving his lips and touching my own causes the fire in my belly to burn a little higher and a million thoughts of what's about to happen flow through my mind. Our noses are almost touching when he utters his next words.

"Now you know that my bark is not worse than my bite. That's your punishment for being rude. Don't let it happen again. I might have to get creative next time."

Finishing his statement, he looks at me for a moment longer and then down at my lips. I don't want to move and make him angry so I hold as still as possible. He closes his eyes and shifts his head so that I now feel his hot breath on my neck. As he inhales deeply, I feel like he's breathing me in. And there is something hard now under my thigh, making me uncomfortable.

It's growing in size and firmness but I dare not squirm while in his lap. His hand grips my arm tightly for a moment, his thumb resting dangerously close to my breast. He releases his breath in a steamy sigh and leans back into the chair, eyes still closed. As if pondering the solution to a very serious problem, he looks terribly troubled about something.

"Go eat.", he says as points to the other end of the table where Elise is setting down a platter covered with a large golden dome.

"Yes Master!", I say as I struggle to get out of his lap.

It takes me all of a fraction of a second to communicate to my body to get moving. Once my feet touch the floor, I stand up and begin to walk with haste. I'm so flustered by my feelings in this moment. The hard lump has left an impression on my thigh. It's as if my skin is yearning for it now. Shaking off my feelings of confusion, I pay any inappropriate thoughts no heed. Besides, there is food!

Behind me, my master gets up from his seat and walk away with his hands in his pockets. As soon as he exits, the entire mood in the air changes. Everyone suddenly seems human again.